Written Answers Thursday 12 November 2009

Scottish Executive

Animal Welfare

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the compatibility of the serving of foie gras with promoting good animal welfare standards.

Richard Lochhead: The production of foie gras, which involves the force feeding of ducks or geese, is prohibited in Scotland as that production method would be a breach of animal welfare legislation. The Scottish Government has instructed companies who provide catering for official functions to use Scottish produce which would not include the serving of foie gras.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what powers exist to support and afford legal protection to the Colonsay black bee colony.

Richard Lochhead: No such powers exist at the present time.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional legal powers it may consider to offer support and protection to the Colonsay black bee colony.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is at an early stage of considering what steps it may take to protect black bees in Scotland and cannot pre-empt the outcome of work that is in progress.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any incidence of varroa mite among honey bees on the Isle of Lewis.

Richard Lochhead: The Varroa mite is considered endemic in Scotland and its presence is no longer notifiable or reportable. However, the Scottish Government is aware that in July 2009 a sample was submitted by a beekeeper on the Isle of Lewis to the free diagnostic service provided by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA). The sample tested positive for Varroa mites.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions are being implemented to limit the spread of varroa mite to island bee populations.

Richard Lochhead: Since Varroa mite is no longer notifiable or reportable there are no such restrictions in place.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-26140 by Richard Lochhead on 17 August 2009, when its bee strategy will be published.

Richard Lochhead: In view of the unprecedented scale and seriousness of the ongoing bee disease outbreaks in Scotland this summer and autumn, and the resource implications this has had, we consider that it would be valuable to take some time to learn lessons from our experience, and incorporate these into the strategy. We will publish the strategy when this process is completed.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its understanding is of the extent of (a) American and (b) European foulbrood in Scotland and what action is being taken to impact on their spread.

Richard Lochhead: Between July and the end of September when inspections ceased, 2,764 hives in 289 apiaries had been inspected. European Foulbrood (EFB) had been detected in 255 hives in 56 apiaries located in many areas of the East of Scotland from Dunkeld to Montrose and from South Aberdeenshire to Central Fife, with a major focus in the Perthshire/Angus glens. The majority of EFB infected hives are associated with commercial bee farming businesses. Disease control has focussed on destruction of heavily infected colonies, movement standstills and from September, optional treatment of lightly infected and in-contact colonies with the antibiotic Oxytetracycline.

  Over the same time period American Foulbrood (AFB) was detected in 121 hives in 34 apiaries, all these have been destroyed. The distribution of AFB has been more sporadic than for EFB with localised centres of infection around Inverness, Banchory, the Perthshire/Angus glens, Cumbernauld, at the West end of Loch Tay and Dunkeld.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances it recommends the use of (a) antibiotics and (b) other treatments for (i) American and (ii) European foulbrood and in what circumstances it considers the destruction of affected bees the optimal form of intervention.

Richard Lochhead: Destruction of affected bees is the only option and is mandatory in all cases of American Foulbrood (AFB), antibiotic treatment is never recommended for treatment of AFB.

  In cases of European Foulbrood (EFB) destruction is always recommended for heavily infected hives. In cases of lighter infections with EFB and for in-contact colonies, hives may be treated with the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) following agreement between the beekeeper and the Scottish Government Bee Officer. Considerations in these circumstances are the extent of the infection, the time of year and colony strength.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to test for the extent of (a) American and (b) European foulbrood in the spring of 2010 and to assess the impact of any antibiotic or other treatment administered in the weeks prior to the overwintering of bees.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government will be testing for American and European Foulbrood (AFB and EFB) in spring 2010. The plans for this testing are under consideration and will take account of the distribution of AFB and EFB uncovered in 2009, the extent of antibiotic treatment carried out and the requirement of government to ensure the safety of food products.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that improved bee husbandry has a part to play in the control of disease in honey bee populations and what steps it is taking to support bee keepers in updating and improving their husbandry skills in light of increased incidence of disease.

Richard Lochhead: Bee husbandry has a major part to play in control of diseases in honey bees. The Scottish Government supports a full time apiculture specialist at the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) to provide a free of charge service of training courses in bee husbandry, to speak at bee keeping meetings, to provide ad hoc telephone/email advice and to provide information at other events across Scotland. In addition the Scottish Government with SAC have produced an educational leaflet on foulbrood diseases which has been available at bee keeping meetings.

Bees

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it regards wild bees as having homing instincts.

Roseanna Cunningham: Wild bees have sophisticated navigational skills that enable them to locate forage and return to their nest or burrow. There is also research evidence that bees transported further away from their nest or burrow than they would normally forage can make the return journey. This is evidence for a homing instinct.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report on the pilot capture and release of sparrowhawks will be published.

Roseanna Cunningham: The report on the trial will be published by the end of November and will be available on the SNH website. The Scottish Government regrets the delay in publishing the report. Producing and agreeing the report among the project partners has taken longer than anticipated.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated buzzard population is.

Roseanna Cunningham: The number of buzzards in Great Britain in 2000 was estimated to be in the range 31,100 to 44,000 pairs. Separate figures for Scotland were not calculated. Estimates of the Scottish population in 2003, gave a possible range of 7,100 to 25,600 territorial pairs.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the (a) level and (b) locations of the buzzard population compare with those of (i) 10 and (ii) 20 years ago.

Roseanna Cunningham: Systematic data is not available in this form. Data from the Breeding Bird Survey suggests that the buzzard population has increased at an approximate rate of 8% since 1994. Observations indicate there has been limited expansion in range, but a marked increase in population size.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a pheasant reared for release is considered a protected species.

Roseanna Cunningham: Section 27 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act states that pheasants are game birds. The taking or killing of game birds is governed by the game acts. However, game birds which are in a wild state are protected by section 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act which deals with prohibited methods of killing. Section 16, which deals with the granting of licences, also applies to game birds in a wild state. The Scottish Government considers game birds to be in a wild state when they are not dependent on a keeper for their survival.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated annual number of reared pheasant taken by buzzards is and what the source is of any such information.

Roseanna Cunningham: In 1999 and 2000 a study carried out by ADAS Consulting Ltd for British Association of Shooting and Conservation, at 36 lowland game bird release pens on a number of estates in England and Scotland, suggested that losses of game-bird poults to birds of prey amounted to about 1-2% of those put down. In some cases losses were greater, but in the majority of cases losses were less than 5%.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be acceptable measures to protect from raptors a pheasant reared for release.

Roseanna Cunningham: The Wildlife and Countryside Act provides for licensed control of predatory birds for the prevention of serious damage to livestock. The act requires control to be considered only where there is no other satisfactory solution. There is a wide range of possible solutions including deterrence, increased protection, diversionary feeding and pen design and location. The practicability of different approaches will vary according to the circumstances of each particular situation.

Blood Donors

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what public authorities offer staff the opportunity to donate blood at organised group sessions and whether such staff continue to be paid while taking time to donate blood.

Shona Robison: The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), which organises and collects blood donations, currently works with a number of, but not all, public authorities, including fire and police organisations, local councils, universities, colleges and hospitals.

  Data on whether staff from the relevant organisations who give blood are paid is not collated centrally. However, SNBTS believes that this is the case.

  The SNBTS Accessibility Group is expanding as much as possible the blood donation collections that take place with other NHS bodies.

Cancer

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many former teachers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Shona Robison: Information on the number of former teachers diagnosed with mesothelioma is not available centrally. Occupations are not recorded in the cancer registration system.

Cancer

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the call-up age for cancer screening to 73 years at the upper end and 47 years at the lower end, as is being done in England.

Shona Robison: The recent extension to the breast screening programme to adopt "two views" has represented a significantly challenging increase in workload which needs to be consolidated. The National Advisory Group for Breast and Cervical Screening will continue to review any new evidence on the age range for the Scottish Breast Screening Programme and advise ministers accordingly.

Cancer

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the take-up rate of breast screening.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26751 on 9 September 2009 and S3W-26752 answered on 10 September 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Cancer

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken an analysis of take-up levels in areas of deprivation for breast screening.

Shona Robison: Information on uptake rates for breast screening, in areas of deprivation from years 1999-2000 until 2000-01, is publicly available and published by the Information Services Division (ISD) at http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/1622.html .

  ISD plans to undertake a further analysis of this information, up to screening year 2007-08, and publish this information on their website in July 2010.

Community Care

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for the publication of the joint COSLA and Scottish Government best practice guidance on commissioning of social care.

Shona Robison: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-28083, on 29 October 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Diabetes

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people with type 2 diabetes are prescribed insulin in each NHS board area.

Shona Robison: This information is not held centrally. The Diabetes Survey Monitoring Group is, however, considering whether the Scottish diabetes survey should in future include reporting of insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the note to Table 10 on page 15 of the Scottish Diabetes Survey 2008 that some NHS boards may be reporting some cases of insulin-treated type 2 diabetes as type 1, whether it will estimate the current number of such cases in each NHS board.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Diabetes Survey Monitoring Group has asked the diabetes managed clinical network in each NHS board to check the position.

  As the 2008 diabetes survey indicated, NHS Tayside data on numbers with each type of diabetes are considered to be the most accurate. These suggest that the proportion of those with type 1 diabetes is between 10% and 12% of the total number of those diagnosed with diabetes.

  The Scottish Diabetes Research Network is also engaged in a project that seeks to establish with greater accuracy the national proportions of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Drug Misuse

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to submit evidence to the Home Office to assist in its deliberations on the possible reclassification of drugs.

Fergus Ewing: The Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) reserves the classification of drugs to the UK Parliament.

  Scottish Government officials keep in regular contact with the Home Office and other UK government departments regarding reserved drugs policy. We are also active members of the British Irish Council’s sectoral group on drugs misuse.

  Earlier this year we submitted evidence from Scottish stakeholders for the Dangerous Drugs draft order. This order will amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to include several so called legal highs within the list of banned substances (these include BZP, GBL and synthetic cannabinoids). The Scottish Government wrote to the Home Office in support of this.

Eating Disorders

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive in which NHS board areas specialist care for people with anorexia nervosa is offered.

Shona Robison: All NHS board areas provide a range of specialist inpatient and community-based care for people with anorexia nervosa, either directly or through arrangements with the independent sector.

  The Eden Unit, which is a specialist NHS eating disorder inpatient unit at the Royal Cornhill Hospital, serves the north of Scotland NHS boards. In other board areas, NHS specialist inpatient care is provided in NHS hospitals or under contract with the independent sector at The Priory, Glasgow and Edinburgh Huntercombe Hospitals.

  All NHS boards keep arrangements and services under review and are working towards improved access and outcomes for service users based on prevention, appropriate intervention and sustained recovery.

  NHS boards in the south east are currently considering proposals for a 12 bed inpatient unit to be based at St John’s Hospital, West Lothian. Decisions are expected early next year.

Eating Disorders

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how long the waiting list is for each centre offering specialist care to people with anorexia nervosa.

Shona Robison: Specialist NHS inpatient care is provided by the Eden Unit at the Royal Cornhill Hospital Aberdeen which serves north of Scotland NHS boards and under contract with the independent providers at The Priory, Glasgow and Edinburgh Huntercombe Hospitals which serve west and east of Scotland NHS boards.

  There are currently no waiting lists for NHS patients to access services at these facilities.

Eating Disorders

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether people with anorexia nervosa are routinely screened for osteoporosis.

Shona Robison: The NHS Quality Improvement Scotland’s Eating Disorders in Scotland Recommendations for the Management and Treatment highlight the importance of both tailored physical assessments and the need for DXA scans to estimate bone density which can be an indicator of osteoporosis to be carried out on individuals with anorexia nervosa.

Eating Disorders

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether people with anorexia nervosa are given bone-strengthening medication as part of their treatment.

Shona Robison: Decisions on treatment options rest primarily with the clinician, in consultation with the individual, and where appropriate, the carer and family. Treatments will be based on a through assessment and tailored to the needs of the individual to achieve the best possible outcomes.

  Medication may be used to treat co-morbid conditions with anorexia nervosa such as osteoporosis. However, all healthcare professionals should be aware of the risk of using drugs for co-morbid conditions that prolong the QTc interval. All patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa should have an alert placed in their prescribing record concerning the risk of side effects. ECG monitoring should be undertaken if there is a prescription of medication that may compromise cardiac functioning.

  Patients with anorexia nervosa are routinely given vitamin and mineral supplements in an oral form during both inpatient and outpatient weight restoration and this may improve bone density. Hormonal treatment using oestrogen or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) does not have a positive impact on bone density and oestrogen is not recommended in children or adolescents due to the risk of premature fusion of the bones.

  Other treatment for osteoporosis can have harmful cardiac and or renal side effects and have to be used with care, particularly in young people.

Electricity

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the recommendation of the Joint Business Council of Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Confederation of British Industry (Northern Ireland) that there should be an integration of the Irish Single Electricity Market and British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements.

Jim Mather: Scottish ministers are keen to develop Scotland’s energy interconnections to the UK, Ireland and Europe. These connections are the key building blocks that will transport and export Scotland’s renewable energy to national electricity markets in the UK and Europe.

  Delivering this vision will require collaborative approaches to interconnection between countries, regions and members states towards a strategic, co-ordinated and connected grid network. It will also require significant and sustained effort with other countries and regions to standardise electricity transmission and regulation and integrate energy markets. We are working closely with UK and Irish Governments and a range of other EU partners on this.

Electricity

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with ministers of the (a) UK Government, (b) Government of the Republic of Ireland, (c) Northern Ireland Executive and (d) Welsh Assembly Government regarding the integration of the Irish Single Electricity Market and British Electricity Trading and Transmission Arrangements.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has regular discussions with the UK Government and the governments of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales on a wide range of energy policy issues. In particular, we are further developing our discussions on possible areas for closer joint working and interconnection through the energy grid and marine workstreams of the British Irish Council.

Enterprise

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many retail premises are vacant, broken down by local authority area.

Jim Mather: This information is not held centrally.

Environment

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has given to local authorities regarding the cutting of roadside verges and their importance for biodiversity and pollinating insects.

Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage have provided guidance on Management of Roadside Verges for Nature Conservation www.snh.org.uk/pubs/detail.asp?id=115 .

  Case studies are also available in Best Value and Biodiversity in Scotland: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/09/19898/42635.

  Transport Scotland has provided draft guidance for discussion in the Trunk Roads Biodiversity Action Plan: www.transportscotland.gov.uk/reports/strategy-and-analysis/trunk-roads-biodiversity-action-plan.

Fisheries

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it regards the Atlantic salmon as a wild creature for the purposes of protective legislation.

Richard Lochhead: Atlantic Salmon are considered wild creatures for the purposes of protective legislation other than those raised in captivity.

Glasgow Airport Rail Link

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected increase in traffic volume is on the M8 motorway between the south side of the Kingston Bridge and Glasgow Airport as a result of the cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL).

Stewart Stevenson: We would only expect there to be a negligible impact on traffic volume on the M8 motorway as a result of cancelling the GARL project.

  The Environmental Statement for the GARL project, developed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport in January 2006, forecast the highway flows on the M8 motorway without the introduction of GARL as including:

  2,430 vehicle movements p/hr at PM Peak, Junction 28 eastbound in 2009, and

  2,618 vehicle movements p/hr at PM Peak, Junction 28 eastbound in 2030.

  With the introduction of GARL these figures would have seen a very limited reduction as follows:

  2,417 vehicle movements p/hr at PM Peak, in 2009 – a reduction of 0.5%, and

  2,597 vehicle movements p/hr at PM Peak, in 2030 – a reduction of 0.8%.

  This represented a very small change on the M8 and therefore the impact of the scheme on M8 traffic flows was forecast as Negligible.

Health

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) number and (b) rate of hospital admissions has been of people aged 65 and over in (i) Dundee and (ii) Angus as a result of falls in each of the last three years for which information is available, broken down by intermediate geographical zone.

Nicola Sturgeon: The number of emergency admissions into acute hospital care due to a fall for residents of (i) Angus and (ii) Dundee City council areas aged 65 and over are shown in the following tables.

  Table 1: Number and rate of hospital admissions due to fall in Angus council area, by intermediate geographical zone, for patients aged 65+, for financial years of discharge 2005-06 to 2007-08.

  

 Intermediate Geographical Zone
 Number of Hospital Admissions
 Rate Per 1,000 Population1


 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 S02000105
 Monifieth West
 14
 14
 11
 22.3
 22.5
 17.4


 S02000106
 Monifieth East
 22
 24
 28
 18.2
 19.9
 23.1


 S02000107
 Carnoustie West
 16
 15
 13
 21.5
 20.1
 16.9


 S02000108
 Carnoustie East
 19
 18
 26
 17.4
 16.2
 22.9


 S02000109
 Monikie
 7
 7
 5
 14.3
 13.4
 8.9


 S02000110
 South Angus
 14
 12
 8
 15.6
 12.8
 8.0


 S02000111
 Arbroath Keptie
 8
 12
 18
 8.9
 13.0
 19.9


 S02000112
 Arbroath Harbour
 19
 12
 20
 19.4
 12.7
 21.3


 S02000113
 Arbroath Kirkton
 11
 9
 22
 12.3
 9.8
 23.7


 S02000114
 Arbroath Cliffburn
 10
 14
 14
 12.5
 17.6
 17.4


 S02000115
 Arbroath Warddykes
 7
 3
 10
 11.3
 4.8
 15.3


 S02000116
 Letham and Glamis
 11
 5
 8
 12.4
 5.4
 8.3


 S02000117
 Kirriemuir Landward
 10
 3
 11
 18.4
 5.6
 20.3


 S02000118
 Forfar West
 10
 14
 21
 10.5
 14.8
 21.7


 S02000119
 Forfar Central
 19
 37
 17
 19.8
 38.7
 18.0


 S02000120
 Forfar East
 11
 22
 22
 13.0
 25.3
 24.7


 S02000121
 Lunan
 5
 7
 8
 11.2
 15.5
 16.9


 S02000122
 Friockheim
 12
 11
 18
 12.1
 10.8
 16.9


 S02000123
 Kirriemuir
 24
 14
 14
 20.4
 11.6
 11.6


 S02000124
 Montrose South
 23
 31
 33
 21.3
 28.5
 30.6


 S02000125
 Montrose North
 15
 16
 17
 16.7
 17.7
 19.1


 S02000126
 Brechin East
 9
 13
 10
 16.8
 23.7
 18.0


 S02000127
 Brechin West
 15
 10
 18
 17.6
 12.2
 22.2


 S02000128
 Hillside
 3
 5
 6
 6.4
 10.6
 12.2


 S02000129
 Angus Glens
 11
 12
 11
 18.0
 18.8
 16.9


 Angus
 
 325
 340
 389
 15.8
 16.4
 18.1



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR01).

  Note: 1. Population based on GRO(S) mid-year estimates for persons aged 65+.

  Table 2: Number of hospital admissions due to fall in Dundee City council area, by intermediate geographical zone, for patients aged 65+, for financial years of discharge 2005-06 to 2007-08.

  

 Intermediate Geographical Zone
 Number of Hospital Admissions
 Rate Per 1,000 Population1


 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08


 S02000199
 Perth Road
 7
 6
 6
 17.9
 15.2
 15.3


 S02000200
 Westend
 24
 14
 17
 24.6
 14.7
 17.5


 S02000201
 City Centre
 6
 9
 17
 11.6
 17.6
 33.3


 S02000202
 Logie and Blackness
 21
 35
 25
 22.9
 38.2
 27.9


 S02000203
 Docks and Wellgate
 17
 15
 18
 26.1
 23.8
 29.0


 S02000204
 Balgay
 13
 20
 10
 13.6
 20.7
 10.4


 S02000205
 Menzieshill
 18
 16
 16
 19.1
 17.5
 18.2


 S02000206
 Broughty Ferry Wes
 27
 34
 30
 20.1
 25.6
 22.1


 S02000207
 Craigie and Craigiebank
 31
 28
 29
 21.6
 19.9
 21.3


 S02000208
 Stobswell
 13
 10
 6
 26.4
 20.4
 12.3


 S02000209
 Law
 22
 22
 24
 18.7
 18.6
 20.3


 S02000210
 West Ferry
 14
 19
 19
 14.7
 19.6
 19.8


 S02000211
 Hilltown
 19
 27
 28
 17.2
 24.8
 25.9


 S02000212
 Barnhill
 16
 20
 26
 13.8
 16.5
 20.5


 S02000213
 Broughty Ferry East
 11
 13
 16
 12.7
 14.7
 17.7


 S02000214
 Lochee
 23
 21
 33
 18.1
 16.8
 27.2


 S02000215
 Baxter Park
 10
 6
 7
 18.1
 10.9
 12.6


 S02000216
 Charleston
 16
 18
 9
 20.3
 23.8
 12.2


 S02000217
 The Glens
 18
 14
 28
 16.5
 12.8
 26.5


 S02000218
 Douglas East
 13
 17
 12
 18.5
 25.3
 17.9


 S02000219
 Fairmuir
 18
 23
 15
 16.4
 21.4
 13.6


 S02000220
 Western Edge
 6
 6
 10
 18.0
 17.8
 27.2


 S02000221
 Linlathen and Midcraigie
 10
 20
 22
 14.2
 29.5
 32.2


 S02000222
 Douglas West
 14
 18
 12
 18.4
 24.0
 16.3


 S02000223
 Caird Park
 6
 4
 3
 12.9
 8.6
 6.4


 S02000224
 West Pitkerro
 8
 4
 3
 25.7
 12.0
 8.4


 S02000225
 Ardler and St Marys
 29
 17
 20
 31.4
 17.4
 20.0


 S02000226
 Whitfield
 5
 9
 8
 8.0
 14.2
 12.2


 S02000227
 Downfield
 10
 12
 16
 10.6
 12.6
 16.3


 S02000228
 Kirkton
 10
 7
 9
 22.5
 15.4
 19.0


 S02000229
 Fintry
 10
 18
 13
 12.8
 22.9
 16.3


 Dundee City 
 465
 502
 507
 18.1
 19.6
 19.0



  Source: ISD Scotland (SMR01).

  Note: 1. Population based on GRO(S) mid-year estimates for persons aged 65+.

Health

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times urinary tract infections have been detected in hospitals in the Lothians region in each of the last five years, broken down by (a) hospital and (b) age group of patient.

Nicola Sturgeon: The requested information is not centrally available.

  There are no mandatory national surveillance systems for urinary tract infections occurring in hospitals in NHSScotland.

Justice

Nigel Don (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made following the request by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to other UK jurisdictions for information on any problems experienced between these jurisdictions when dealing with family law cases, including the unlawful removal of children by one parent.

Kenny MacAskill: We have discussed this matter with our opposite numbers in England and Northern Ireland and intend to meet the Law Society of Scotland shortly. The aim of meeting the Law Society of Scotland is to obtain more information on how often problems of this nature arise and to seek their views on any practical steps which could be taken to tackle these problems. In particular, we will wish to consider with them how section 41 of the Family Law Act 1986, on habitual residence after removal without consent, works in practice.

Justice

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many fixed penalty notices were served in each year since 2004, broken down by (a) sheriffdom and (b) offence committed.

Fergus Ewing: The available information held centrally on fixed penalty notices for antisocial behaviour and stationary vehicle fixed penalty notices issued by the police are given in the following tables. The data has been supplied by police forces and cannot be aggregated into sheriffdoms.

  Information on fixed penalty notices for litter offences also follows. This information has been provided by the independent environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful and is not available by sheriffdom

  Information on penalty charge notices for parking infringements issued by local authorities is given in the Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts bulletins for 2004-05 to 2007-08 in tables 26, 26, 31, and 31 respectively. Copies of the first three of these bulletins are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 39481, 42387 and 46485); the 2007-08 bulletin can be obtained at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/04/27103325/0.

  The available information on fixed penalty notices for noise nuisance was given in the answer to question S3W-15965 on 18 September 2008. The central funding and statistical returns ceased with the outset of the single outcome agreement arrangements in April 2008. Subsequent information is held by Audit Scotland. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

  Fixed penalty notices for dog fouling, road works, fisheries and smoking are not held centrally.

  Number of Police Fixed Penalty Notices for Anti-social Behaviour Issued, by Police Force and Offence Type, 2008-09

  

 Police Force
 Total
 Type 1
 Type 2
 Type 3
 Type 4
 Type 5
 Type 6
 Type 7
 Type 8
 Type 9
 Type 10


 Scotland
 47,705
 59
 147
 9,469
 1,147
 5
 229
 971
 17,655
 17,970
 53


 Central
 2,006
 6
 0
 423
 59
 1
 26
 232
 110
 1,148
 1


 Dumfries and Galloway
 670
 0
 2
 135
 50
 0
 2
 18
 154
 307
 2


 Fife
 1,975
 0
 1
 481
 217
 0
 7
 43
 565
 661
 0


 Grampian
 2,799
 14
 0
 1,158
 80
 0
 8
 37
 226
 1,276
 0


 Lothian and Borders
 3,282
 13
 21
 770
 196
 0
 13
 112
 244
 1,865
 48


 Northern
 1,539
 8
 35
 288
 349
 1
 15
 43
 70
 730
 0


 Strathclyde
 31,722
 16
 64
 5,329
 186
 3
 91
 228
 15,971
 9,834
 0


 Tayside
 3,712
 2
 24
 885
 10
 0
 67
 258
 315
 2,149
 2



  Source: Management information provided by ACPOS.

  Notes:

  2008-09 is the first full year for which data are available.

  Offences:

  Type 1: Riotous behaviour whilst drunk in licensed premises.

  Type 2: Refusing to leave licensed premises on being requested to do so.

  Type 3: Urinating or defecating in circumstances causing annoyance to others.

  Type 4: Being drunk and incapable in a public place.

  Type 5: Being drunk in a public place in charge of a child.

  Type 6: Persisting to the annoyance of others in playing musical instruments, singing, playing radios etc on being required to stop.

  Type 7: Vandalism.

  Type 8: Consume alcoholic liquor in a public place in contravention of Local Bye-law.

  Type 9: Breach of the Peace.

  Type 10: Malicious Mischief.

  Police Fixed Penalty Notices Issued for Stationary Vehicle Offences by Police Force and Type of Offence 2004-05 to 2007-08

  

 Police Force
 2004-053
 2005-063
 2006-073
 2007-083


 Central
 6,260
 10,576
 7,441
 6,816


 Parking and waiting offences1
 5,387
 8,991
 5,949
 5,565


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 873
 1,585
 1,492
 1,251


 Other2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway3
 5,283
 4,414
 4,414
 4,403


 Parking and waiting offences1
 3,278
 2,408
 2,408
 3,243


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 2,000
 2,004
 2,004
 1,160


 Other2
 5
 2
 2
 0


 Fife
 13,053
 9,539
 10,571
 10,073


 Parking and waiting offences1
 8,518
 5,536
 6,544
 6,560


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 4,535
 4,001
 4,021
 3,502


 Other2
 0
 2
 6
 11


 Grampian
 4,364
 4,470
 11,408
 10,535


 Parking and waiting offences1
 2,352
 2,505
 2,666
 2,419


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 1,937
 1,934
 2,432
 2,352


 Other2, 6
 75
 31
 6,310
 5,764


 Lothian and Borders
 20,938
 20,250
 23,829
 14,378


 Parking and waiting offences1
 15,252
 14,176
 15,119
 8,614


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 5,686
 6,074
 8,710
 5,764


 Other2
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Northern4
 4,828
 5,601
 5,516
 5,449


 Parking and waiting offences1
 4,828
 5,601
 5,516
 3,364


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 0
 0
 0
 1,727


 Other2
 0
 0
 0
 358


 Strathclyde
 48,420
 41,598
 38,818
 39,579


 Parking and waiting offences1
 32,319
 26,174
 25,414
 26,488


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 16,100
 15,423
 13,404
 13,087


 Other2
 1
 1
 0
 4


 Tayside
 2,854
 2,948
 3,308
 2,289


 Parking and waiting offences1
 1,408
 1,676
 2,123
 1,488


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 1,445
 1,266
 1,180
 798


 Other2
 1
 6
 5
 3


 Scotland
 106,000
 99,396
 105,305
 93,522


 Parking and waiting offences1,5
 73,342
 67,067
 65,739
 57,741


 Failing to display a valid excise licence
 32,576
 32,287
 33,243
 29,641


 Other2
 82
 42
 6,323
 6,140



  Notes:

  1. Includes clearway offences.

  2. Includes vehicle lighting offences, prescribed route offences and infringement of the construction and use regulations.

  3. Includes estimated data, for example, data for Dumfries and Galloway for 2006-07 was estimated from 2005-06.

  4. Northern police force were unable to provide a breakdown of offences for 2004-05 to 2007-08. The 2007-08 breakdown for Northern is estimated.

  5. Data for 2006-07 has been updated since publication of the 2007-08 Criminal Proceedings in Scottish Courts bulletin.

  6. A substantial reconciliation of data in Grampian led to the data on other notices issued increasing substantially from 2006-07 onwards. Equivalent data for earlier years is not available centrally.

  Fixed Penalty Notices for Litter Offences by Local Authority Area 2004-05 to 2008-09

  

 Local Authority
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Aberdeen City Council
 -
 -
 11
 148
 152


 Aberdeenshire Council
 -
 -
 3
 -
 -


 Angus Council
 11
 -
 23
 19
 3


 Argyll and Bute Council
 -
 -
 5
 6
 6


 City of Edinburgh Council
 973
 -
 1658
 927
 819


 Clackmannanshire Council
 -
 -
 0
 -
 -


 Dumfries and Galloway Council
 0
 -
 11
 31
 122


 Dundee City Council
 0
 -
 100
 42
 166


 East Ayrshire Council
 6
 -
 80
 -
 -


 East Dunbartonshire Council
 0
 -
 1
 15
 15


 East Lothian Council
 1
 -
 3
 1
 1


 East Renfrewshire Council
 -
 -
 0
 0
 0


 Falkirk Council
 3
 -
 161
 165
 268


 Fife Council
 120
 -
 104
 122
 54


 Glasgow City Council
 490
 -
 1316
 -
 -


 Highland Council
 -
 -
 5
 4
 23


 Inverclyde Council
 -
 -
 6
 152
 202


 Midlothian Council
 not adopted the FPN scheme


 Moray Council
 0
 -
 2
 0
 -


 North Ayrshire Council
 0
 -
 4
 0
 -


 North Lanarkshire Council
 62
 -
 370
 260
 277


 Orkney Islands Council
 0
 -
 0
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross Council
 47
 -
 100
 266
 57


 Renfrewshire Council
 not adopted the FPN scheme
 205


 Scottish Borders Council
 0
 -
 3
 -
 -


 Shetland Islands Council
 0
 -
 19
 23
 21


 South Ayrshire Council
 14
 -
 11
 20
 77


 South Lanarkshire Council
 10
 -
 142
 -
 -


 Stirling Council
 0
 -
 27
 19
 21


 Western Isles Council
 -
 -
 0
 0
 0


 West Dunbartonshire Council
 0
 -
 11
 11
 -


 West Lothian Council
 -
 -
 191
 162
 143



  Source: Data provided by the independent environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful (information by sheriffdoms is not available).

  Note: - denotes information not provided.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of test purchasing on the sale of knives to young people.

Fergus Ewing: Test purchasing of knives may well be a valuable tool to prevent the sale of knives to young people and may also be considered to help enforce the conditions of the Knife Dealers’ Licensing Scheme once the licences under that scheme come into force. However, a decision on whether to conduct a test purchase is an operational one for police forces, based upon local intelligence.

Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20278 by Fergus Ewing on 10 February 2009, whether it (a) considers that it would be helpful to hold information on the test purchases of knives as it does in relation to alcohol and (b) intends to collect this information in future.

Fergus Ewing: Information on test purchasing is not routinely collected, whether for alcohol or any other product, although this is currently under consideration.

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications for personal licences under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 remain outstanding.

Kenny MacAskill: I would like to congratulate the trade, licensing boards and the police for the work they have undertaken to implement the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. Based on information from 28 licensing boards as at 26 October 2009, 27,357 personal licences have been granted, and that number will have increased over the last two weeks. We do not have information on how many applications are presently outstanding however I wrote to all licensing boards on 29 October 2009 expressing the need for urgent action to deal with such applications.

Maternity Services

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what tailored support is available to people who have experienced (a) fertility problems, (b) miscarriage, (c) ectopic pregnancy and (d) stillbirth.

Shona Robison: Health professionals from Maternity Units, Primary Care teams, or Gynaecology Services provide tailored care and support to people who have experienced (a) fertility problems, (b) miscarriage, (c) ectopic pregnancy and (d) stillbirth, as required.

  This support may include further investigation or counselling, but should be tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

  Additionally, a patient may be referred to the appropriate voluntary sector organisation.

NHS Complaints

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints the NHS has received in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: The number of complaints that NHS boards have received with regard to hospital services; community services and family health services in years 1999-2000 to 2008-09 is set out in the following table:

  

 
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06
 2006-07
 2007-08
 2008-09


 Scotland
 9,855
 10,174
 10,705
 11,143
 11,556
 11,143
 10,768
 10,371
 10,365
 10,079


 Argyle and Clyde 
 483
 559
 653
 669
 818
 509
 502
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A


 Ayrshire and Arran
 518
 588
 607
 491
 595
 614
 538
 524
 533
 528


 Borders
 275
 303
 264
 270
 274
 237
 288
 221
 245
 223


 Dumfries and Galloway
 268
 372
 322
 346
 339
 300
 390
 343
 320
 353


 Fife
 792
 670
 595
 633
 576
 650
 642
 586
 615
 659


 Forth Valley
 392
 444
 402
 430
 413
 436
 532
 653
 559
 500


 Grampian
 963
 1,191
 1,370
 1,384
 1,585
 1,6191
 1,385
 1,467
 1671
 1,582


 Greater Glasgow and Clyde
 2,103
 1,991
 2,003
 2,217
 2,267
 2,032
 1,846
 2,280
 2,173
 2,216


 Highland
 312
 305
 289
 288
 349
 376
 416
 476
 595
 501


 Lanarkshire
 738
 717
 1,135
 1,090
 1,007
 845
 825
 771
 691
 723


 Lothian
 2,026
 2,057
 2,251
 2,458
 2,387
 2,407
 2,251
 2,050
 1,969
 1,898


 Orkney
 33
 29
 11
 18
 28
 21
 24
 17
 17
 26


 Shetland
 20
 25
 41
 29
 45
 48
 41
 32
 45
 38


 Tayside
 897
 891
 717
 755
 814
 987
 1,028
 891
 838
 770


 Western Isles
 35
 32
 45
 65
 59
 62
 60
 60
 92
 62



  Source: ISD (Scotland) NHS Scotland complaints.

  Note: Following the dissolution of Argyll and Clyde NHS board in 2006, the Argyle and Clyde complaints are shown under NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Highland as appropriate.

NHS Staff

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of nurses graduating in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007 and (d) 2008 took up a nursing position (i) with NHSScotland, (ii) elsewhere in the NHS, (iii) in the private sector and (iv) overseas and how many left the profession or are unemployed.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not centrally available. However, National Services Scotland, Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland publish data on nursing and midwifery student intakes and students in training which is available from the following website link: http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/5352.html#students .

National Parks

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the use of occupancy conditions in section 75 agreements for housing in national park areas.

Roseanna Cunningham: It is a matter for the National Park Authorities in the exercise of their planning functions to determine whether and in what circumstances section 75 agreements should properly include occupancy conditions.

Ophthalmology

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-26832 by Shona Robison on 7 September 2009, what additional steps it is taking to promote free eye health checks by optometrists beyond the provision of leaflets.

Shona Robison: The number of NHS eye examinations undertaken in Scotland has risen consistently by around 100,000 a year since their introduction in 2006. In the first quarter of 2009-10, around 450,000 NHS eye examinations were undertaken which if uptake remains consistent will again result in an increase of around 100,000. This demonstrates that people in Scotland are clearly recognising the benefits of having an eye examination without further promotion.

  Although we have no current plans for a campaign to promote free NHS eye examinations there are some projects being developed through pump-priming funding, such as the Glasgow Ethnic Minorities eye care project, which encourage people to attend for NHS eye examinations.

Police

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions police have been called into schools in the Lothians region to deal with incidents impacting on (a) teachers and staff and (b) pupils in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally.

Police

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it cost to police (a) Glasgow Airport and (b) Glasgow Prestwick Airport in the most recent full year for which figures are available and from whose budgets these costs were met.

Kenny MacAskill: The policing of Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police.

Rail Services

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given to the ScotRail Franchise Authority Service Level Commitment when setting the winter 2009 timetable for the (a) Stranraer/Girvan - Newcastle service and (b) Glasgow Central - Stranraer service.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether ScotRail, in relation to its winter 2009 timetable, sought permission to provide a rail service that did not comply with the ScotRail Franchise Authority Service Level Commitment; if so, for what services, and what decision was reached in each case.

Stewart Stevenson: The new winter 2009 rail timetable for the Girvan - Stranraer line was proposed, consulted upon, developed and agreed as part of the continuing contractual process involving ScotRail and Transport Scotland.

  The ScotRail Service Level Commitment is varied, as required, to reflect any approved service changes. This variation enables ScotRail to bid for a compliant timetable to Network Rail for the operation of these services, on behalf of Scottish ministers.

Roads

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of ground investigations at (a) Moss of Rotten, (b) Craiglug, (c) Silverburn and (d) Kingcausie in preparation for the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Stewart Stevenson: The ground investigations carried out in the areas known as Moss of Rotten, Craiglug, Silverburn and Kingcausie were included in a number of contracts covering wider areas of the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. The estimated cost of the ground investigations carried out at these specific areas is not available as the contracts let cover a wider area along the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. However, details of the individual contracts let which cover the specific areas highlighted are given in the following table:

  

 Contract Description
 Contract Value


 A preliminary ground investigation contract for the area between Charleston to Kingswells and the area from the A90/B979 Junction at Stonehaven to Cleanhill was let in 2006.
£995,690


 A detailed ground investigation at Kingcausie Estate was undertaken in 2007.
£243,657


 A detailed ground investigation contract for the area between South of the River Dee (Kingcausie) and Kingswells was let in 2009. As the contract has only recently been completed the final cost of the works has not yet been agreed with the Contractor. The cost shown is therefore the value of the successful tender.
£1,165,537



  Note: The above costs exclude VAT. The costs also exclude supervision fees and landowner compensation in relation to disturbance during the ground investigation.

Roads

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost to the public purse is of the relocation of the International School of Aberdeen to Pitfodels in preparation for the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on implementing speed reductions on trunk roads is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Stewart Stevenson: The estimated cost of the relocation of the International School of Aberdeen is £51 million (excluding VAT) at today’s prices.

Roads

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding is available from it or its agencies for the creation of high-occupancy-vehicle lanes on trunk roads.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to create high-occupancy-vehicle lanes on trunk roads.

Stewart Stevenson: Intervention 9 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) describes how Transport Scotland proposes to enhance road capacity and operations through measures such as Intelligent Transport Systems and subsequently High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Transport Scotland is currently at an early stage in investigating the feasibility of introducing HOV lanes on Scotland’s trunk roads. Subject to available funding, Transport Scotland will explore those potential opportunities with relevant partners.

Roads

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with NESTRANS regarding the creation of a high-occupancy-vehicle lane on the A90 between Stonehaven and Cairngorm Road in Aberdeen.

Stewart Stevenson: Ministers and officials from the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland are in frequent contact with NESTRANS and Aberdeen City Council about many aspects of transport and travel in the Aberdeen area although no discussions have taken place recently about this particular topic.

  I am aware that Aberdeen City Council and NESTRANS commissioned a feasibility study into a High Occupancy Vehicle lane south of Aberdeen. When we see that completed report, we will of course fully engage with the Council and NESTRANS.

Rural Development

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Measure 341 in the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is provided by the European Union.

Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of Measure 321 in the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is provided by the European Union.

Richard Lochhead: The European Union’s contribution to the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 , including Measure 341, is about 31.5%. We are currently awaiting approval from the European Commission to increase that percentage to 50% in 2010.

Schools

Elizabeth Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools have been identified as containing asbestos in the fabric of the buildings, broken down by schools in each local authority area.

Keith Brown: The information requested is not held centrally. Health and Safety Regulations require duty holders who are responsible for the maintenance and repair of buildings in their control to manage the risks arising from asbestos. In the case of publicly funded schools that is the local authority. The Health and Safety Executive provides advice and guidance to local authorities and others on the management of asbestos.

Scottish Government Expenditure

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on the provision of community hubs is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on the implementation of a national motoring package is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on implementing workplace parking levy schemes is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on implementing bus quality contracts or bus statutory partnerships is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on increasing urban density is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on freight best practice is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on electric car technology and network development is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on implementing a national network of car clubs is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what its budgeted or anticipated level of expenditure on cycle infrastructure investment is in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012-13.

Stewart Stevenson: I am replying to the parliamentary questions S3W-28548 to S3W-28557, each referring to individual policy measures identified in the research report Mitigating Transport’s Climate Change Impact: Assessment of Policy Options.  This report was commissioned by the Scottish Government and published in July 2009. It identifies 22 potential devolved policy measures to reduce transport emissions. These are currently being analysed as part of our wider efforts to meet the emission reduction targets within the Climate Change (Scotland) Act.

  It is not possible to provide exact levels of funding for these measures across the period 2009-10 to 2012-13. For 2010-11, the Draft Budget, including £0.172 million for freight best practice, is of course still subject to Parliamentary scrutiny and approval. The budgets for 2011-12 and beyond will be determined in the light of the above analysis and once we know the outcome of the next UK spending review. This review is expected to take place in the summer and autumn of 2010. Our detailed plans for emission reductions from transport will be published next summer in our Report on Proposals and Policies.

  In the current financial year there is a specific budget of £0.172 million for freight best practice and £3.5 million for Sustrans for the National Cycle Network. The funding of bus quality contracts is a matter for local authorities. In the remaining areas it is not possible to disaggregate exact levels of expenditure, though elements of some, e.g. evaluation of eco-driving training, are being funded under the sustainable and active travel budget and some cycling infrastructure is being provided within trunk road schemes being taken forward by Transport Scotland.

Scottish Water

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what factors it included in its consideration when setting Priority 1 and 2 objectives for Scottish Water for 2010 to 2014.

Stewart Stevenson: The main factors considered included: maintaining current levels of service, meeting the standards specified in new and existing legislation and the size of the investment programme. Further details of our considerations are given in my letter of 27 October 2009 to the Convener of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee which is available at:  www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0089248.pdf .

Scottish Water

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what factors led to its identifying climate change and adaptation as a Priority 2 (Desirable) objective for Scottish Water for 2010 to 2014.

Stewart Stevenson: We expect Scottish Water to take account of climate change in every aspect of its investment programme, whether it be in the supply of drinking water or the treatment of sewage. One good example of this is the requirement to reduce levels of leakage in its water networks to economic levels. In the light of the requirements of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, we have included a specific climate change objective. Further details on the objectives are available at:  www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/waterindustryscot/latest-news/swdirections .

Scottish Water

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that identifying climate change and adaptation as a Priority 2 (Desirable) objective for Scottish Water for 2010 to 2014 will limit Scottish Water’s ability to deliver on the public body duties to be introduced under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

Stewart Stevenson: As explained in my letter of 27 October 2009 to the Convener of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0089248.pdf , the climate change proposals are now a specific objective for the period 2010-15.

Scottish Water

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take prior to the publication of public body duty guidance, expected in 2011 under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, to ensure that climate change mitigation and adaptation are sufficiently prioritised by Scottish Water.

Stewart Stevenson: The directions placed on Scottish Water require Scottish Water to implement a wide range of measures in relation to Climate Change adaptation and mitigation by 2015 unless otherwise specified in the direction. Early next year, Scottish Water will submit to ministers for their approval, a business plan which will set out the key dates for delivery of the objectives set for it. These dates will form the basis for the monitoring of the delivery of the investment programme.  www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/waterindustryscot/latest-news/swdirections .

Special Areas of Conservation

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether sites to be designated for conservation purposes under provisions in Scots or EU law are selected by the European Commission or by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has responsibility for the notification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in accordance with the provisions of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004.

  The EC Birds and Habitats Directives place obligations on member states to designate "Natura 2000" sites comprising Special Protection Areas (in accordance with the terms and requirements of the EC Birds Directive) and Special Areas of Conservation (in accordance with the terms and requirements of the EC Habitats Directive).

  Scottish ministers are responsible for decisions on which sites should be designated as Natura 2000 sites, after taking account of advice from SNH.

Special Areas of Conservation

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the European Commission can direct the Scottish Government or Scottish Natural Heritage as to what sites they should select for designation under provisions in EU law, such as special areas of conservation.

Roseanna Cunningham: The EC Birds and Habitats Directives place obligations on member states to designate sites in accordance with the terms provided in those Directives.

  The European Commission may raise proceedings against member states in the European Court of Justice for allegations relating to failures to implement the Birds and Habitats Directive. In addition, Article 5 of the Habitats Directive provides an exceptional power for the Commission to refer a proposal for decision by the European Council where it considers that a proposed national list of sites fails to make adequate provision for a priority natural habitat type of a priority species.

Suicide

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the deaths in police custody in the last five years was as a result of suicide and how many of the individuals concerned had been seen by forensic medical examiners.

Kenny MacAskill: Information on cause of death and whether individuals who died in police custody were seen by forensic medical examiners is not held centrally. The responsibility for maintaining such records lies with individual Scottish police forces.

Suicide

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have died in police custody in each year since 1999 as a result of suicide and how many of those were known problem drug users.

Kenny MacAskill: Information on cause of death and whether those who died in police custody were known problem drug users is not held centrally. The responsibility for maintaining such records lies with individual Scottish police forces.

Suicide

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have died in prison in each year since 1999 as a result of suicide and how many of those were known problem drug users.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

  The following table sets out the number of self-inflicted deaths in the past 10 years within Scottish prisons. Our database does not record whether the individuals were known problem drug users and this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, it is known that three of these deaths did relate to drug overdose, and addictions prevalence testing in 2007-08 shows that 71% of all prisoners tested on admission to custody produced a positive drug test.

  

Year
Number of Deaths


1999-2000
17


2000-01
11


2001-02
11


2002-03
8


2003-04
5


2004-05
9


2005-06
10


2006-07
10


2007-08
11


2008-09
3